When love and jealousy collide on the slopes, winter break turns deadly.

A Strigoi attack puts St. Vladimir’s on high alert, and the Academy whisks its students away on a mandatory holiday ski trip. But the glittering winter landscape and posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety. When three students run away to strike back at the Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose—and her heart—are in more danger than she could have imagined.

The second instalment of the graphic novel adaptations of Vampire Academy is just as gorgeous and action packed as the first. Frostbite follows Rose, Lissa and the rest of the gang at a ski resort, where they go for their safety over winter break.

Vieceli again masterfully recreates scenes from the book with her beautiful illustrations – she perfectly captures character’s thoughts, emotions and personalities. The graphic novels portray Rose, Lissa, Christan, Dimitri and the rest of the cast in a way that I don’t think any movie could. One of my favourite parts was getting to see Adrian! Unfortunately, the Strigoi aren’t as frightening as I’d hoped. I thought this in the last graphic novel but put it down to having seen both Victor and Natalie as humans, but the Strigoi continue to underwhelm in Frostbite. To balance it out, however, Rose’s battle with the Strigoi and subsequent trauma is conveyed well.

Dragoon does an amazing job, again, of adapting the original novel into the new format. Supplementing the awesome graphics are bits of text which are either taken straight from the book or modified to fit a graphic novel, which results in a finished product that doesn’t deviate from the original. I love the amazing prologue at the beginning of Frostbite, it’s everything a reader needs to immerse themselves back into this world.

Plot-wise, we see the danger ramp up for Lissa and Rose, as it quickly becomes clear that humans are working for Strigoi and their weaknesses can’t be taken for granted any more. Lissa and Christian both push for the Moroi to re-learn how to use their elemental magic to protect themselves, lessening the burden on the Guardians and meeting the new threat of the Strigoi head-on. There is also the romantic sub-plot, with Dimitri trying to move on from his feelings for Rose, which are inappropriate considering the danger it poses to Lissa’s safety, and hanging out more and more with Tasha Ozera, and Rose trying not to be jealous of Lissa and Christian’s deepening bond. I think the action is captured well in the graphic novel, and it flows very well.

I really enjoy the Vampire Academy graphic novels, and Frostbite will be a welcome addition on the shelves of any VA fan. I also think the graphic novels could be a jumping off point, and if people like them, then they could try the full length novels! I’m looking forward to the next adaptation, of Shadow Kiss, because — cabin-scene! — and also not looking forward to it because of the ending.